Jen and Ryan under the Strawberry Moon

In the storybook setting of Santarella, in Tyringham, Massachusetts, Jennifer Albrecht and Ryan Knight married on June 26th, 2010. Santarella is truly a magical place, and is called Tyringham’s Gingerbread house. The main building has a thatched roof, leaded glass windows and there isn’t a straight line in the entire place. The grounds are beautiful as well. We followed a lovely path surrounded by annuals and perennials all in bloom, crossed a little stone bridge until we came to the frog pond. With the croaking frogs in the background, we celebrated Jen and Ryan’s marriage vows. And as Jen and Ryan, their friends and family celebrated into the evening, they were graced by the first full moon of the summer, called, The Strawberry Moon. It was enchanting in every way.

Beth and Melissa at the Nobska Lighthouse

On a gorgeous June day, Beth Asher and Melissa Ford exchanged their vows of marriage in front of the Nobska Lighthouse in Falmouth, Massachusetts. Beth's son Christopher escorted her into the circle where she and Melissa were surrounded by friends and family all of whom had traveled from Ohio to bear witness to their ceremony. We included a handfasting ritual and a blessing of the four cardinal directions to pay honor to nature. The Nobska Lighthouse was a perfect location for a wedding...there is just something very romantic about lighthouses as they carry such a sense of homecoming and constancy...calling us safely home.

Leah and Chris's Renewal of Vows Ceremony

Leah Hacker surprised her husband Chris on their ninth anniversary by arranging an anniversary celebration and renewal of vows ceremony in Central Park. Leah had contacted me a year before and over the months we worked out all the details, which was a challenge because she lives in Florida and I live in Connecticut! But everything worked out perfectly! Near Cherry Hill Fountain in Central Park, a little stone path leads down to a small fishing hut right on the water’s edge, called Wagner’s Cove. The three of us gathered and celebrated their anniversary with a ceremony that looked back over their years together, beginning when we they first met in high school and looking forward to their continuing life together with their two little girls. It was such a joyful celebration, so full of hope and what happens in the lives of two people who really love each other and commit themselves to growing and nuturing a marriage.

Meg and Tyler's Wedding in the Vineyard

Meg and Tyler were married on May 29th, 2010 at the Jonathan Edwards Winery in North Stonington, Connecticut http://www.jedwardswinery.com/. It’s a beautiful venue and Meg and Tyler had put so much of themselves into every aspect of their wedding from the invitations, the programs, the wonderful and fun readings, the attire for the groom and groomsmen and bridesmaids. Every one of their choices had a sense of fun, which reflected Meg and Tyler perfectly. Meg and her mother made fabric covers out of vintage material for each of the programs. It is a testament to how creative one can be and no detail was left to chance. Meg looked beautiful walking down the aisle, which was a wide open area between the rows of grapevines. Just minutes into the ceremony we all had to scurry inside the large barrel room to continue the ceremony as the sky darkened and rain was on its way. But no spirits were dampened. Meg and Tyler’s lovely dog Norah was part of the wedding party and when we were doing the Vow of Community Support and all the guests lent a loud and joyful “we do” Norah chimed in with some joyful barks!

Melissa and Ben

In the South Garden of the lovely Waterview in Monroe, Connecticut, Melissa Abeling and Ben Dowden were married on May 29th. With a stunning view of the water behind them and baskets of bright pansies hanging along the white arbor, they pledged their vows to one another. They had met at the University of Hartford and it didn't take long for them to realize they wanted to spend their life with each other. Ben planned a wonderful surprise proposal that included a trip to New York City to see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. After the performance, by the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center he proposed to Melissa...and she said yes!

Melissa and Brian

On a perfect April day, Melissa Piscitelli and Brian Saunders married at the beautiful Society Room of Hartford http://www.hartfordsocietyroom.com/index.html. The professional staff at The Society Room are wonderful and accomodating and made sure everything unfolded perfectly. In this recently renovated space, that began life as a bank, the interior is so grand that no additional decorations are needed. Murals and marble details, banisters curving around a sweeping staircase, huge windows, and a ceiling with gold leaf embossed bas relief, make for a sumptious environment. Melissa was gorgeous coming down the staircase accompanied by her father. Melissa and Brian have experienced many wonderful adventures throughout their life together, and now, they begin their newest adventure together as husband and wife. Photographer, Travis Flynn captured the day from start to finish. http://www.travisflynnphotography.com/

Susan and Cynthia

Susan and Cynthia traveled from their Idaho home to celebrate their marriage vows at the home of friends in Simsbury, Connecticut. With family and friends gathered around, they exchanged rings that incorporated the diamonds from their mother’s engagement rings. After the ceremony, we made a quick trip to the Simsbury Town Clerk’s office, so their license could be processed and they could return to their home with their certified Marriage Certificate!

Mitzi and Jenny

Mitzi and Jenny celebrated their third anniversary by getting married in Elizabeth Park in West Hartford, Connecticut on March 12th. Traveling from their home in North Carolina, Elizabeth Park in early spring was a perfect location for them. We did their ceremony on a lovely stone bridge spanning the pond and ended with photos in the greenhouses amid flowering daffodils and tulips with photographer Michelle Wade http://www.michellewade.net/

capturing the beauty of the day. Then, they were off to a romantic honeymoon in New York City.

Springtime in Elizabeth Park

On the West Hartford/Harford town line is beautiful Elizabeth Park.
It’s a perfect place for couples to have a quick ceremony, especially for
couples coming from out of town. If it’s just the two of you (plus me of course) and perhaps a photographer to capture the events of the day, then you don’t need to get a permit to have your ceremony. You can walk around, enjoying the park, find a nice spot and get married! The best times to do this are in the morning hours during the week because the park gets rather busy later in the day and certainly on the weekends. After your ceremony, you can pop in to the Pond House Restaurant for a celebratory lunch!

Elizabeth Park has a duck pond, many, many rose gardens and arbors which are gorgeous. There is a greenhouse and perennial gardens as well as a large gazebo (in case of rain!) Plus, it is not only a people friendly park, it is also dog friendly…and that makes it okay in my book! http://www.elizabethpark.org/